Aggies Sweep Houston in Spring Season Finale

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M volleyball team concluded its spring exhibition season today by winning all four sets in a 25-11, 25-22, 25-21, 25-13 victory over Houston at Reed Arena.

The Aggies took control early in the opening set, quickly building a 15-6 leading following a 5-0 run. Houston got a kill to end the rally, but A&M freshman Stephanie Aiple countered with a kill, and the Aggies continued to pull away.

A&M was ahead, 23-11, when Houston committed a service error to put the Aggies at set point. Darby Graff then followed with a set-clinching kill.

A&M held a 16-10 lead in the second half when the Cougars began a comeback with strong play at the net. Houston tied the score at 16-16 but was unable to take the lead.

The Cougars stayed within a point at 20-19 following a powerful kill, but A&M middle blocker Jazzmin Babers recorded back-to-back kills to put A&M ahead, 22-19. The Aggies kept a two-point cushion at 23-21 when Emily Hardest put A&M at set point with a kill. A&M committed an error on the next play before Shelby Sullivan recorded a kill to close out the set.

Houston held a 9-6 lead in the third set when A&M pounded out four consecutive kills to take a 10-9 lead. The Cougars tied the score for the final time at 10-10 before A&M began to pull away. The Aggies built their biggest lead at 16-11 with Victoria Arenas making a play-saving dig to set up Aiple for the kill.

Houston managed to cut its deficit to 23-20 before Angela Lowak registered a kill to put the Aggies at set point. The Cougars fought off one set point with a kill before Lowak posted another kill to secure the win.

The teams decided to play a fourth set, and the Aggies jumped out to a commanding 9-1 lead. A&M went on to build its largest lead at 23-10. Following two Houston points, Lowak got a kill form the back row to put the Aggies at match point. The Cougars got a kill before Lowak came back with the match-winning kill.

The Aggies conclude their spring training next Thursday and will report for preseason training on August 8.

Visit AggieAthletics.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Aggie fans also can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook and on Twitter by following @AggieVolleyball.